The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah showed signs of strain on Thursday as both sides accused each other of violating the recently brokered truce. The Israeli military announced that its air force struck a Hezbollah facility used to store mid-range rockets in southern Lebanon. This marks the first airstrike since the ceasefire took effect on Wednesday morning.
Israeli forces also reported opening fire towards “suspects” in vehicles arriving at several areas within the southern zone, claiming these actions breached the agreement with the Iran-backed Hezbollah. “Any deviation from this agreement will be enforced with fire,” warned Israeli Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi.
Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah responded by accusing Israel of violating the deal. “The Israeli enemy is attacking those returning to the border villages,” Fadlallah told reporters. “There are violations today by Israel, even in this form.”
The Lebanese army echoed these sentiments, accusing Israel of multiple ceasefire violations on Wednesday and Thursday. According to Lebanese security sources and state media, Israeli tank fire hit five towns and agricultural fields in southern Lebanon, wounding at least two people. All the affected areas lie within two kilometers of the Blue Line, the demarcation line established by the United Nations to confirm Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon.
The exchange of accusations underscores the fragility of the ceasefire, which was brokered by the United States and France to end over a year of conflict fought in parallel with the Gaza war. The truce is intended to last 60 days, providing a window to negotiate a permanent cessation of hostilities.
Lebanese families displaced from their homes near the southern border have attempted to return to check on their properties. However, Israeli troops remain stationed within Lebanese territory in towns along the border, and surveillance drones have been reported flying over parts of southern Lebanon. The Israeli military has renewed a curfew restricting movement of residents south of the Litani River between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he has directed the military to be prepared for intense fighting if the ceasefire is violated. “We are enforcing powerfully,” Netanyahu said in an interview with Israel’s Channel 14. “But if needed, I gave a directive to the IDF—be prepared in case there is a violation of the framework of the ceasefire, for an intense war.”
The ceasefire agreement stipulates that unauthorized military facilities south of the Litani River should be dismantled but does not address facilities north of the river. Thursday’s airstrike near Baysariyah, north of the Litani, has raised questions about the interpretation and enforcement of the truce terms.
As tensions rise, the international community watches closely, hoping that both sides will adhere to the agreement and prevent a further escalation that could destabilize the region.
Reference(s):
Israel and Hezbollah trade accusations of ceasefire violations
cgtn.com
